Two Types of Entrepreneurs: Marathoners vs Sprinters

Guy Raz Newsletter – October 10, 2024

You may have heard the aphorism that starting and scaling a business is a marathon, not a sprint.

In almost every case I’ve encountered on HIBT, its 100% true. You start the journey and it takes a LOT of time.

And just like in a marathon, there are certain mile markers that are painful and brutal. The moments you want to collapse and die. But there are also moments when the wind is at your back. Moments you feel euphoric.

But when it comes to actually starting a business—getting it off the ground—yes there are marathoners, but there are also sprinters.

Let me explain…

If you’ve listened to HIBT long enough, to the hundreds of founders I’ve interviewed over the years, you will have heard from both types of founders.

The sprinters have an idea, start to build it, and work to get it out into the world fast. If, in a short period of time, the idea isn’t gaining traction, they either pivot or abandon the idea entirely, and start over.

The marathoners, on the other hand, have an idea and then star…